Liquid crystal display device

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal layer, an alignment layer orientating the liquid crystal layer, and a driving circuit that drives the liquid crystal layer. The alignment layer is divided into a plurality of specified regions, each having a recognizable size. The orientation direction of adjacent regions is different from one another. This makes it difficult to resolve a displayed image from directions other than that from the front of the display, and instead a fixed pattern is seen when the display is viewed from directions other than that from the front. This fixed pattern can be chosen as desired and can be, e.g., a figure or a trade name of a product.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 of JapanesePatent Application No. P2000-006073, filed Jan. 11, 2000 and JapanesePatent Application No. P2000-376914, filed Dec. 12, 2000, the entirecontents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device,a terminal device, or a portable terminal.

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Background

[0005] Recent increases in the size of liquid crystal display deviceshave expanded their market as display devices for notebook personalcomputers, monitors, and so on.

[0006] In conventional TN type liquid crystal display devices, thecontrast of displayed image was highly dependent on viewing angle. Infact, the display is visible from only certain angles. This problem,however, is being improved through measures such as the use of viewingangle compensation film. This makes it possible to provide liquidcrystal display devices with the same range of viewing angles as CRTs.

[0007] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,178 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,634, methodsfor broadening the viewing angle are disclosed. In these methods, in onepixel is provided with a plurality of sections, each with a differentpre-tilt angle direction. Additionally, in Japanese Patent JP-A-9-5766,a method is disclosed in which a section is provided with a differentpre-tilt angle direction in one pixel. In these disclosed prior artmethods, the section with different pre-tilt angle direction is providedin one pixel for the purpose of broadening the viewing angle. The ratiobetween the areas of the sections with different pre-tilt angledirections is unique for all pixels, that is, one display, in order toprevent uneven areas from occurring. Therefore, these methods neitherdisclose nor suggest a method of providing a specified image that isvisible when the image is viewed from a specified direction.

[0008] In Japanese Patent JP-A-61-51124 and Japanese PatentJP-A-61-51125 a device having plural display areas is disclosed. In thisdevice, liquid crystalline molecular orientation directions on thealignment films are different on a single substrate. The displaypatterns of this device are typically numerical. In this device, some ofthe numbers (display patterns) can be seen from one direction, and theothers cannot be seen from the same direction. The applications of thisdevice intend that at least one numeral on a display pattern can be seenfrom a direction.

[0009] On the other hand, conversely to the above, other displays arepreferably only visible from the front (i.e., they do not permit obliqueviewing). This prevents secret or confidential documents from beingviewed by people other than the user of the display device while thedocuments are being prepared or read in a public place. For example,this allows the user of such a display to read or write a document suchas a personal letter, regardless of the presence of people around theuser. Herein, such a technology will be denoted as “viewing anglenarrowing technology.”

[0010] The viewing angle narrowing technologies that have been disclosedheretofore are a method of jointly using a liquid crystal display devicehaving a liquid crystal layer for image display and a liquid crystallayer for phase difference control (JP-A-11-174489, JP-A-11-7045,JP-A-9-105958), a method of using a lens sheet (JP-A-11-84357 andothers), a method of using a diffusing optical guide plate(JP-A-10-97199 and others), and so forth.

[0011] However, the above-described methods suffer from problems such asan increase in the number of parts and an insufficiently narrowedviewing angle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea liquid crystal display device that displays a standard image whenviewed from the front and a fixed image that is independent from aninputted image signal when viewed from another direction.

[0013] To that end, the present invention provides a liquid crystaldisplay including a liquid crystal layer and alignment films sandwichingthe liquid crystal layer, wherein surfaces of the alignment films aredivided into a plurality of regions including a plurality of pixelunits, and liquid crystal orientations on the alignment films inadjacent regions are different.

[0014] These regions may form a letter, or these regions may form, e.g.,a visible figure.

[0015] A long side of a minimum hypothetical rectangle containing theregion may be equal to or larger than 0.1 millimeter. The figure may besquare.

[0016] A maximum voltage for driving the liquid crystal layer may beless than the saturation voltage of the liquid crystal layer. Themaximum voltage for driving the liquid crystal layer Vm and thesaturation voltage Vs have a following relation: 0.005 Vs≦Vm≦0.7Vs.

[0017] The orientation in one of the regions may be unique. Theorientation of the alignment films of the same color element in one ofthe regions may be unique.

[0018] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a liquid crystal display including a liquid crystal layer andalignment films sandwiching the liquid crystal layer, wherein surfacesof the alignment films are divided into a plurality of regions havingdifferent orientation directions, and a ratio of the regions in at leastone pixel is different from a ratio of the regions in the other pixel.

[0019] The region may form a letter, or the region may form, e.g., avisible figure.

[0020] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a liquid crystal display including liquid crystal layeralignment films sandwiching the liquid crystal layer and a drivingcircuit for the liquid crystal layer, wherein an image formed by thedriving circuit is displayed to a front direction and a fixed imageindependent of the driving circuit is displayed to oblique directions.

[0021] The alignment films may have a plurality of regions whereorientations of the alignment films are different.

[0022] The fixed image may be a letter. The fixed image may be a visiblefigure. The fixed image may have a color.

[0023] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a liquid crystal display including liquid crystal layeralignment films sandwiching the liquid crystal layer and a drivingcircuit for the liquid crystal layer, wherein an image formed by thedriving circuit is displayed to the normal direction of the liquidcrystal layer and a fixed image independent of the driving circuit isdisplayed to a direction other than the normal direction.

[0024] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a liquid crystal display including a first liquid crystal layerdisplaying an image formed by a driving circuit, a second liquid crystallayer, and alignment films sandwiching the second liquid crystal layerwherein the alignment film has regions containing a visible figure, andorientations of adjacent regions are different.

[0025] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a liquid crystal display including a liquid crystal layer, apair of substrates sandwiching the liquid crystal layer, and a drivingcircuit for the liquid crystal layer, wherein an image formed by thedriving circuit is displayed to the front and a fixed image independentof the driving circuit is displayed to an oblique direction.

[0026] The substrate may be made of glass.

[0027] The driving circuit may be formed on the substrate, or thedriving circuit may be formed separately from the substrate.

[0028] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a terminal device including a liquid crystal layer, a pair ofsubstrates sandwiching the liquid crystal layer, and a driving circuitfor the liquid crystal layer, wherein an image formed by the drivingcircuit is displayed to a front direction and a fixed image independentof the driving circuit is displayed to an oblique direction.

[0029] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a portable terminal device including a liquid crystal layer, apair of substrates sandwiching the liquid crystal layer, and a drivingcircuit for the liquid crystal layer, wherein an image formed by thedriving circuit is displayed to a front direction and a fixed imageindependent of the driving circuit is displayed to an oblique direction.

[0030] According to a further aspect of present invention, the alignmentfilms in a liquid crystal display device are divided into a plurality ofregions. In each of these regions, the orientation direction isdifferent from at least some other regions so that they are viewed asdark colors (such as black) when seen from a specified direction. Thisvariation in the liquid crystal display device that is dependent uponviewing angle is achieved by interfacial modification of the orientationdirection performed on the alignment film.

[0031] Thus, some of the regions seen in a specified color from aspecified direction prevent an image displayed on a screen from beingseen from a certain direction.

[0032] Moreover, a fixed image can be viewed from a specified direction,independent of the display of an image signal inputted to the liquidcrystal display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of theattendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomebetter understood by reference to the following detailed descriptionwhen considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0034]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of anexemplary liquid crystal display device according to the presentinvention;

[0035]FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of an exemplaryregion a and region b in each of which the liquid crystal orientationdirection is different, shown in the first embodiment of the liquidcrystal display device according to the present invention;

[0036]FIG. 3 is a sketch illustrating orientation directions of liquidcrystals in the region a and the region b, with a solid line arrowshowing an abrasion (e.g., rubbing) direction of a lower substrate and adotted line arrow showing an abrasion (e.g., rubbing) direction of anupper substrate;

[0037]FIG. 4 is a sketch illustrating alignment treatment directions ofan alignment layer in the liquid crystal display device, in which anarrow D represents an example of a viewing direction from which theregion a appears black independent of the signal voltage into the liquidcrystal layer, whereas the region b appears black from the directionopposite to the direction D;

[0038]FIG. 5(a) is a conceptual cross-sectional view illustrating aregion 51 in which an image displayed by the liquid crystal in theregion a is visible (visible region) and regions 52 in which the imageis invisible (invisible region) such that the region a is seen in black;

[0039]FIG. 5(b) is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing a visibleregion 53 of an image displayed by the liquid crystal in the region band invisible regions 54 in which the region b is seen as black;

[0040]FIG. 6 is a sketch illustrating an example of an image displayedon the first embodiment of the liquid crystal display device when viewedfrom the front;

[0041]FIG. 7 shows the image presented in FIG. 6 when the liquid crystaldisplay device is viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow D inFIG. 4, in which regions a appear black to make the indicated imagedifficult to view when the liquid crystal display device is seen from anoblique direction;

[0042]FIG. 8 is a sketch illustrating eight directions, 1 to 8, overwhich viewing angles are measured for exhibiting that the viewing angledepends on viewing direction;

[0043]FIG. 9 is a table showing results of the measurement of viewingangle dependence of the liquid crystal display devices in the first tofourth embodiments and four comparative examples;

[0044]FIG. 10(a) is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of a regiona and a region b, in each of which the direction of liquid crystalorientation is different from the other, in the second embodiment of theliquid crystal display device according to the present invention;

[0045]FIG. 10(b) is a view illustrating abrasion (e.g., rubbing)directions of the region a and the region b in FIG. 10(a), with a solidline arrow showing the abrasion (e.g., rubbing) direction of a lowersubstrate and a dotted line arrow showing the abrasion (e.g., rubbing)direction of an upper substrate;

[0046]FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating abrasion (e.g., rubbing)directions of substrates for liquid crystal display devices incomparative examples of liquid crystal display devices;

[0047]FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an example of a display of a logosuch as a company name or a trade name of a product which is seensuperimposed on the exemplary displayed image shown in FIG. 6 when theimage is viewed from the side;

[0048]FIG. 13 is an illustration of an example of a display of a figuresuperimposed on the exemplary displayed image shown in FIG. 6 when theimage is viewed from the side;

[0049]FIG. 14 is an illustration of the region a in which red, green,and blue pixels of a color liquid crystal display device are arranged;

[0050]FIG. 15 is an illustration of that the orientation direction ofthe liquid crystals in a pixel R is different from those of pixels G andB;

[0051]FIG. 16 illustrates an alignment film with uniform abrasion (e.g.,rubbing) applied thereto as a first step in a method of forming regionswith different orientation directions of liquid crystals in thealignment film; and

[0052]FIG. 17 shows an example of a photomask used in a step of changingthe orientation state of the alignment film prepared as shown in FIG. 16by light irradiation.

[0053]FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a typical liquid crystal displayaccording to the present invention.

[0054]FIG. 19 shows two pixels in the display which have differentratios between the region a and region b.

[0055]FIG. 20 shows an example of a cellular phone using an exemplaryliquid crystal display according to the present invention.

[0056]FIG. 21 shows an example of a palmtop computer using an exemplaryliquid crystal display according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0057] Embodiments of the liquid crystal display device according to thepresent invention will be explained in detail in the following withreference to drawings. However, the present invention is not limited tothe illustrated embodiments. In addition, numerical values (such asthickness) and materials are presented as only examples.

[0058] In the first embodiment of the present invention, an alignmentfilm is divided into a plurality of square regions. In one squareregion, one orientation direction is given, while the orientationdirection is different in an adjacent square region, so that pluralorientation directions are periodically repeated over the arrangedsquare regions.

[0059]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the first embodiment of aliquid crystal display device according to the present invention. Thecross-sectional view is referred to for explaining a general structureof a liquid crystal display device. Thus, structures of the followingembodiments are not limited to that shown in FIG. 1.

[0060] A polyimide alignment film 13 is provided on glass substrate 11with Thin Film Transistors (TFT) formed thereon. On the other hand, apolyimide alignment film 14 is provided on a glass substrate 12 withcolor filters formed thereon. A liquid crystal material 15 is sealedbetween the glass substrate 11 and the glass substrate 12. The glasssubstrate 11 and the glass substrate 12 are separated by spacers 16 witha particle diameter of about 5 μm. Both ends of the glass substrates aresealed by an epoxy sealer 17. In this way, a liquid crystal displaydevice with a uniform thickness is formed. Columns may be used betweenthe substrates in order to maintain the separation between the glasssubstrates 11 and 12, instead of the spacer 16. In a small display, theseparation may be maintained using only the sealer 17 provided at eachend of the glass substrate.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 18, in the liquid crystal display 1801, whichhas the liquid crystal layer held between the upper and lowersubstrates, a driving circuit 1802 is connected to the liquid crystaldisplay 1801. The signal 1803 for determining the display on the liquidcrystal display 1801 is input to the driving circuit 1801. The drivingcircuit 1802 may be formed on the upper or lower substrate, or it may beformed separately from the display 1801.

[0062] For the liquid crystal material, a TN type liquid crystal LIXON5010 supplied by Chisso Petrochemical Co., Ltd. can be used which isused.

[0063] For the alignment film, a Polyimide P1-1051 supplied by JapanSynthetic Rubber Co., Ltd. can be used.

[0064] A plan view of the first embodiment of the liquid crystal displaydevice according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 2. As usedhereinafter, the expression “lower substrate” refers to the glasssubstrate 11 provided with the TFTs. The “upper substrate” refers to theglass substrate 12 provided with the color filters. The “uppersubstrate” and “lower substrate” designations are used for the sake ofconvenience only, and do not limit the location of either substrate inthe present invention.

[0065] On the alignment film, an interfacial modification that relatesto orientation is performed so that two kinds of regions, namely regionsa and b as shown in FIG. 2, with different orientation directions thatare alternately arranged. Here, the interfacial modification thatrelates to orientation is produced, e.g., by abrasion (e.g., rubbing,making minute grooves by lithography, etc.).

[0066] The display screen that is subdivided into two kinds of regions aand b is subject to the interfacial modification that relates toorientation. Each of the regions is formed into, for example, a squarewith sides of about 2.5 mm. This is sufficiently larger than the size ofa pixel so that the regions can be directly recognized.

[0067] In this embodiment, the abrasion (e.g., rubbing) is performed asfollows. First, a polyimide film is formed on the lower substrate,followed by uniform abrasion (e.g., rubbing) of the polyimide film. Thisfirst abrasion (e.g., rubbing) can be denoted as a forward abrasion(e.g., rubbing).

[0068] Next, either the regions a or the regions b are masked with athin metal film made of, e.g., stainless steel, as shown in FIG. 17. Inthe illustrated example, the regions b are masked and abrasion (e.g.,rubbing) is performed in the opposite direction to that of the originalabrasion (e.g., rubbing). This second abrasion (e.g., rubbing) can bedenoted as a reverse abrasion (e.g., rubbing). Next, the metal thin filmis removed to provide a substrate as shown in FIG. 2.

[0069] Over the whole face of the upper substrate that faces the lowersubstrate, as shown in FIG. 2, a second polyimide film is formed in thesame way that the first polyimide film was formed on the lowersubstrate. After formation, abrasion (e.g., rubbing) is performed on thewhole face of the second polyimide film in an abrasion (e.g., rubbing)direction that is perpendicular to both abrasion (e.g., rubbing)directions of the lower substrate (provided both substrates areopposing). Then, regions corresponding to either regions a or regions bof the lower substrate are masked with a thin metal film made of, e.g.,stainless steel. In the illustrated example, the regions b are masked,and abrasion (e.g., rubbing) is performed in a direction perpendicularto the forward and reverse directions of the abrasion (e.g., rubbing)performed on the lower substrate and opposite to the abrasion (e.g.,rubbing) direction in the regions b of the upper substrate. The thinmetal film is later removed.

[0070] The resultant interfacial modification relating to orientation inthe region a and the region b is illustrated by the directions indicatedwith solid lines arrows on the lower substrate, and dotted line arrowson the upper substrate in FIG. 3. The forward and reverse directions areopposite to each other in both region a and region b. Moreover, theupper and lower substrates are arranged so that the orientationdirection on square regions of the upper substrate is perpendicular tothe orientation direction on square regions faces of the lower substratein each of the regions a and b.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment of the liquid crystal displaydevice, a sheet polarizer is provided on a surface of each of the upperand lower substrates. Here, polarization planes of the sheet polarizerson the upper and lower substrates are placed parallel to one another sothat the display is seen as black when no voltage is applied. Inaddition, the sheet polarizers are arranged so that the polarizationplanes are parallel to the abrasion (e.g., rubbing) directions of eitherthe region a or the region b. The maximum voltage applied when drivingthe display device was determined to be about 70% of the saturationvoltage of the liquid crystal.

[0072] With the above processing, the obtained substrate is shown inFIG. 4. In this type of liquid crystal display device, when obliquelyviewed from the direction indicated by an arrow D, the regions a exhibita strong dependence on the viewing angle and the display issubstantially made invisible. Namely, the regions a are seen as black orblackened regardless of the display signal. On the other band, whenviewed from the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow D, theregions b become transparent.

[0073] This will be further explained with reference to FIGS. 5(a) and5(b), which are enlarged cross-sectional views of portions of thesurface of the liquid crystal display device. Region a is shown in FIG.5(a) and region b is shown in FIG. 5(b). Although the regions a and bare actually defined on the alignment film, for convenience in theillustrated embodiment, the regions a and b are conceptually showndirectly on the glass substrate 12.

[0074]FIG. 5(a) illustrates an image visible region 51 and imageinvisible regions 52 for the region a. When the screen is viewed fromthe image visible region 51, the display reflects (e.g., displays) thecondition of the liquid crystals (e.g., the image) as in a normal liquidcrystal display device. On the other hand, when viewed from the imageinvisible regions 52, the display is always seen as black or blackenedregardless of the condition of the liquid crystal. The state of beingblack or blackened is hereinafter expressed simply as “black.” Forexample, the region a, when viewed from the direction D, is seen asblack.

[0075]FIG. 5(b) shows an image visible region 53 and image invisibleregions 54 for the region b. In the image visible region 53, an imagedisplayed in the region b by the liquid crystals can be seen in thedirection D. From the image invisible regions 54, however, the region bis seen as black.

[0076] Since the regions a and the regions b are arranged side by side,when the display is viewed from a certain direction (for example, fromthe direction D), a normal liquid crystal display can be seen in theregions b, while the regions a are seen as black. This prevents thewhole image displayed on the liquid crystal display device from beingseen.

[0077] Therefore, except for the case in which the display is viewedapproximately from the front, it has been made difficult for an onlookerto understand any displayed information. Namely, from a direction otherthan the front, the black squares of the regions a or the regions b areseen on the display screen as if the displayed image were scrambled.

[0078] For example, consider an image displayed in the liquid crystaldisplay device shown in FIG. 6. The image can be seen correctly fromapproximately the front of the display device, as shown in FIG. 6.However, when the display is viewed obliquely, (for example, from thedirection D), the display contains scattered black patterns as shown inFIG. 7. This makes it impossible or difficult to resolve the displayeddetails.

[0079] In order to test the visibility of this embodiment of the liquidcrystal display device, fifteen persons observed images and figuresdisplayed in the liquid crystal display device from the directionsnumbered from 1 to 8 in FIG. 8. The images were characters (such asChinese characters, hiragana characters, and alphabetic characters( andfigures (such as photographs). In the test, the angles at which thedisplayed images were visible were determined and the results of aplurality of measurements were averaged. The angles at which thedisplayed images were visible are presented as inclination anglesrelative to a vector normal to the screen (that is, directly in front ofthe screen), which was taken as zero degrees. The measurements oncharacters and figures were performed separately.

[0080] The measurement results are presented in a table in FIG. 9, withthe results from the first embodiment given in the first row of thetable.

[0081] For the figures, in the directions 1 and 5, namely, in thehorizontal direction, an inclination greater than about 16 degrees offthe normal conceals the displayed figures. In the directions 3 and 7,namely, in the vertical direction, inclinations up to about 32 degreesoff the normal did not conceal the displayed figures. In the directions2, 4, 6, and 8, which are intermediate to the above horizontal andvertical directions, inclinations up to about 18 degrees off the normaldid not conceal the displayed figures.

[0082] For the characters, in the horizontal direction, the displayedcharacters were difficult to read from an inclination greater than about15 degrees off the normal. In the vertical direction, the displayedcharacters readable from inclinations up to about 30 degrees.

[0083] The field of view that allows the characters to be read isslightly narrower than the field of view that allows the figures to bevisible. It is believed that this is because the characters are finerand more complex than the figures. However, the difference between thecharacters and the figures is not very significant.

[0084] As is understood from the results of the test measurement, theliquid crystal display device provided with the regions a and b, as inthe first embodiment, always allows a displayed image to be seen whenviewed from the front. However, it is impossible to flawlessly view thedisplayed image from an inclination of 20 degrees or more off the normalwhen viewed obliquely from the right and left sides. This prevents thedisplayed image from being recognized when viewed from the side andpermits the implementation of a liquid crystal display device in whichonly the user of the display can resolve the displayed image.

[0085] For example, the implementation of a mobile terminal or acellular phone that can be operated on one's hand with a display screenthat allows the user to see a displayed image and prevents other peoplefrom resolving the displayed image is possible.

[0086] When the display screen is viewed from directions other than thefront, a pattern due to the orientation of the alignment film becomesvisible irrespective of the displayed image. Therefore, it is favorableto suitably select the pattern depending on the purpose of the displayedimage.

[0087] Although a normally black liquid crystal display, which displaysblack without the application voltage, is described above, a normallywhite liquid crystal which displays white without the application ofvoltage, can also be used. In normally white devices, it is preferablethat a bias voltage of 0.5% to 70% of the saturation voltage of theliquid crystal be applied. It is more preferable that a bias voltage of5% to 50% of the saturation voltage of the liquid crystal be applied. Itis more preferable that a bias voltage of 5% to 20% of the saturationvoltage of the liquid crystal be applied. In the second embodiment, theregions a and the regions b were arranged in a pattern shown in FIG.10(a). In other respects, the second embodiment is the same as the firstembodiment. In the second embodiment, the directions of diagonalabrasion (e.g., rubbing) of the regions a and the regions b matched toan image observer coming from the vertical direction. Although thepattern as shown in FIG. 10(a) is described as an embodiment, it is alsopossible to arrange the pattern such that the vertical direction of thepattern does not match the direction of the diagonal abrasion (e.g.,rubbing) of the regions a and the regions b.

[0088] In a second embodiment of the present invention, the abrasion(e.g., rubbing) direction in the regions a and the regions b on theupper substrate are represented by dotted line arrows and those on thelower substrate are represented by solid line arrows. In the pattern inthe second embodiment, the square regions are rotated relative to thosein the first embodiment by 45 degrees. The regions a and the regions bare squares with sides of about 2.5 mm.

[0089] For the liquid crystal display device according to the secondembodiment, a viewer's perception at different viewing angles wasevaluated as in the first embodiment. The average values of thusobtained angles of inclination relative to the normal to the screen areshown in the table in FIG. 9. Approximately identical results to thefirst embodiment results were obtained, with smaller angles in thehorizontal direction allowing the viewer to read a displayed image.

[0090] In a third embodiment of the present invention, a STN type liquidcrystal ZLI-4540 (270 Degree Twist) supplied from Merck Japan Co., Ltd.was used for the liquid crystal material. Moreover, stripe-shaped ITOelectrodes were provided on each of the upper and lower glasssubstrates. Here, the stripe-shaped ITO electrodes on the upper glasssubstrate were provided perpendicularly to those on the lower glasssubstrate when the two glass substrates are opposed. Other features suchas the materials and conditions were identical to those in the secondembodiment. The stripe-shaped ITO electrodes, each formed with a widthof about 200 μm, were arranged at 20 μm intervals.

[0091] On the ITO electrodes provided on each of the upper and lowersubstrates, an alignment layer was formed which was abraded (e.g.,rubbed) as in the second embodiment to form the regions a and b on thesubstrates.

[0092] The polarizing filters are aligned to be black when no voltage isapplied, and the maximum voltage of the driving signals is 70% of thesaturation voltage of the liquid crystal.

[0093] Upon application of a specified voltage to selected ITOelectrodes on the upper and lower substrates, the molecular orientationof a liquid crystal at an intersection of the respective ITO electrodesis changed due to the influence of the electric field. This changeslight transmittance of the liquid crystal, through which a desired imagecan be displayed.

[0094] In the third embodiment, a displayed image can be seen when thescreen is viewed from the front, whereas, when viewed from the side,only either of the regions a or the regions b can be seen, thus makingit impossible to observe the whole image.

[0095] The influence of viewing angle was evaluated in a liquid crystaldisplay device made according to the third embodiment, in a mannersimilar to the manner in which the first embodiment was tested. Theresults are also shown in the table in FIG. 9.

[0096] In the third embodiment, it can be understood that the viewingangles in the horizontal direction for the displayed image are limited.The third embodiment makes it impossible to recognize the display imageat an inclination about 25 degrees from the normal. In particular, whenviewed from the directions 1 and 5, inclinations of 11 to 14 degreesfrom the front make it impossible to recognize the displayed image. Inother words, by providing regions a and b, the viewing angle in thehorizontal direction can be limited.

[0097] When a normally white liquid crystal display is used, it ispreferable that a bias voltage of 0.5% to 70% of the saturation voltageof the liquid crystal be applied. It is more preferable that a biasvoltage of 5% to 50% of the saturation voltage of the liquid crystal beapplied. It is more preferable that a bias voltage of 5% to 20% of thesaturation voltage of the liquid crystal be applied.

[0098] In a fourth embodiment according to the present invention,twisted FLC type ferroelectric liquid crystal 2005, supplied by ChissoPetrochemical Co., Ltd., was used as a liquid crystal material. Thisliquid crystal material exhibits a relatively high speed response. Thethickness of the liquid crystal layer, i.e., the cell gap, is about 2μm, and the maximum driving voltage is the saturation voltage of theliquid crystal. The polarization direction of the polarizing film is setparallel to the abrasion (e.g., rubbing) direction of the alignmentlayers on the substrates. In this case, the device is normally white.The viewing angles of this device are maximal when no voltage isapplied. The other portions of a device according to the fourthembodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0099] In the liquid crystal display device according to the fourthembodiment, viewing angles were evaluated in a manner identical to thetests of the first embodiment. Averaged values of the obtained angles ofinclination relative to the normal to the screen are shown in the tablein FIG. 9.

[0100] In this embodiment, in the vertical direction (i.e., in thedirection 3 and the direction 7), it is possible to resolve thedisplayed image even with an inclination 50 degrees off the normal.However, when viewed from the side (i.e., viewed from the direction 1and the direction 5), an inclination of about 15 degrees off the normalmakes it impossible to recognize the displayed image. In thisembodiment, the effect of providing the regions a and b is remarkable.

[0101] Comparative examples were prepared for demonstrating the effectof the present invention. Three kinds of liquid crystal display deviceswere prepared in which an interfacial modification related toorientation was performed on a display screen as shown in FIG. 11without dividing the screen into a plurality of the regions withdifferent orientation directions. Other portions of the three displaydevices were formed in the same way as the second, third, and fourthembodiments and are referred to as comparison examples 1, 2, and 3,respectively. Also, in each of the comparison examples, the abrasion(e.g., rubbing) direction on an upper substrate is represented by adotted line arrow, and that on a lower substrate by a solid line arrow.

[0102] In the liquid crystal display device of the comparison examples,viewing angles were evaluated in the same manner as for the firstembodiment. Averaged values of the obtained angles of inclination offthe normal to the screen are shown in the table in FIG. 9.

[0103] In comparison example 1, when viewed from the direction 1, theimage can be seen up to about 40 degrees inclined off the normal.However, when viewed from the opposite direction 5, an inclination ofapproximately 15 degrees off the normal conceals the image.Additionally, in the vertical direction, an inclination of about 30degrees off the normal conceals the image. In this case, a displayedimage is always visible from the front. From the direction 1, thedisplayed image can be seen over a wide range of inclination angles.

[0104] In the comparison example 2, when viewed from the direction 1,inclinations of 23 and 24 degrees off the normal conceal the image. Fromthe direction 5, an inclination of about 10 degrees off the normalconceals the image. In the vertical direction, inclinations of severaldegrees above 20 degrees off the normal conceal the image. Also in thiscase, when viewed from the direction 1, the displayed image is visibleover a wide range of angles.

[0105] In the comparison example 3, the image is visible frominclinations up to about 70 degrees off the normal from the direction 1.From the direction 5, an inclination of 20 degrees off the normalconceals the image. From the direction 1, the displayed image is visibleover a wide range of angles.

[0106] Furthermore, by using the results shown in FIG. 9, a comparisonwas made across the display devices with TN liquid crystals by comparingthe first and the second embodiments with the comparison example 1, acomparison across STN liquid crystals by comparing the third embodimentwith the comparison example 2, and a comparison across twisted FLCliquid crystals by comparing the fourth embodiment with the comparisonexample 3.

[0107] In all of the display devices with the above types of the liquidcrystal, it is shown that dramatically narrower viewing angles in thehorizontal direction are provided by the present invention. Therefore,it has been proven that all of types of liquid crystal materials can beused to narrow the viewing angle according to the present invention. Inparticular, with the use of the twisted FLC liquid crystals that exhibitrelatively high speed responses, a clearly moving image can be resolvedwhen the image is viewed from the front.

[0108] In the above described embodiments, the interfacial modificationrelated to orientation was performed in order to limit the viewing anglein the horizontal direction to achieve the results as presented in FIG.9. Thus, by changing the orientation direction of the describedembodiments, it is possible to limit the viewing angle in an arbitrarydirection.

[0109] For comparison example 4, a liquid crystal display device likethat of embodiment 1 with a saturation voltage of the liquid crystallayer supplied thereto was prepared. Viewing angles in this example wereevaluated as in the first embodiment. Averaged values of the obtainedangles of inclination off the normal to the screen are shown in thetable in FIG. 9.

[0110] In the comparison example 4 is viewed from the side (namely fromthe direction 1 and the direction 5), an inclination about 25 degreesoff the normal concealed the image. However, in the vertical direction,the image was visible from inclinations up to several degrees above 30degrees off the normal, and little dependence on viewing direction wasexhibited.

[0111] Comparison of the first embodiment with the comparison example 4showed that when the maximum driving voltage was the saturation voltageof the liquid crystal layer, the viewing angle was broadened. Therefore,the maximum driving voltage is preferably taken as being equal to orbelow about 90% of the saturation voltage of the liquid crystal layer innormally black devices.

[0112] On the other hand, the maximum driving voltage must be at orabove 40% of the saturation voltage of the liquid crystal layer. This isbecause a desirable image contrast cannot be obtained when the drivingvoltage is below about 40% of the saturation voltage.

[0113] When a normally white liquid crystal display is used, it ispreferable that a bias voltage of about 0.5% to about 70% of thesaturation voltage of the liquid crystal be applied. It is morepreferable that a bias voltage of about 5% to about 50% of thesaturation voltage of the liquid crystal be applied. It is morepreferable that a bias voltage of about 5% to about 20% of thesaturation voltage of the liquid crystal be applied.

[0114] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed. In this embodiment, a liquid crystal display device like thatin the first embodiment was used. However, it is possible to use liquidcrystal display devices described in the second embodiment and later, orthose with like functions.

[0115] In the above embodiments, when the display is viewed fromdirections other than the front, a pattern provided on the alignmentfilm is observed regardless of the displayed image. This allows thedisplay to provide a desired fixed pattern that is seen when the displayis viewed from the side.

[0116] Namely, by noting the fact that the fixed pattern (which has norelation to the displayed image) is seen from a direction other thanfrom the front, a specified or predetermined figure can be made visiblefrom this direction. In other words, instead of the typical checkeredpattern shown in FIG. 7, a desired, fixed pattern can be displayed bysuitably arranging the regions a and b when forming a desiredorientation pattern on the alignment layer.

[0117] The fixed pattern can be formed so that, for example, a tradename of a product, a logo of a company, or a popular cartoon charactercan be seen when the display is viewed from the side. Such a liquidcrystal display device can display a fixed pattern like a trade name ofa product on a cellular phone that is presented to a prize winner.

[0118] For example, when the liquid crystal display device is displayingthe image shown in FIG. 6, this image displayed by the liquid crystallayer can be seen as superposed with patterns formed by regions withdifferent orientation directions when the display is viewed from theside, as shown in FIG. 12. In this way, a permanent figure such as acompany name or a trade name of a product can be displayed as a fixedpattern. Here, the fixed pattern such as the company name is displayedregardless of the display image of the liquid crystal layer and isindependent of the input signal to the liquid crystal layer.

[0119] In addition, another example of a region with a differentorientation direction is shown in FIG. 13, in which a heart shape isused. When the alignment film is divided into two regions a and b withsuch a single figure occupying a large portion of the display, thefigure is seen, as shown in FIG. 13 for example, when laterally viewedfrom the right. Conversely, when laterally viewed from the left, thedisplay is seen with a figure displayed in the liquid crystal layerbeing within the heart-shaped pattern whose outside is seen as black.Instead of the heart-shaped pattern in the example, any desired patterncan be formed as the fixed pattern.

[0120] A single fixed pattern that is large compared to the size of thedisplay screen is effectively used as a message. However, the preventionof viewing the display from the side is hindered. Conversely, a finepattern is effective when used for preventing the display from beingexamined, but transmits a message less effectively. In this regard,prevention of the examination of the display from the side and providinga message are incompatible. However, since the fixed pattern can bedesigned as desired, it can be selected in light of the aboveincompatible effects.

[0121] The fixed pattern can be prepared by designing regions havingchanged orientation directions. Therefore, no the manufacturing processof the normal liquid crystal display device is not significantlychanged. Furthermore, a pattern used to form the regions in which theorientation direction are made different can be so easily prepared thatthere is relatively little time lost in the manufacturing process.

[0122] In a sixth embodiment according to the present invention, aliquid crystal display like that in the first embodiment can be used.Moreover, it is possible to make liquid crystal display devicesdescribed in the second embodiment and later or other liquid crystaldisplay devices which can provide color displays using the sixthembodiment.

[0123]FIG. 14 is a view shows an example liquid crystal display devicethat displays a color image. On the display, pixels displaying red (R),green (G) and blue (B) are arranged. The arrangement of the R, G and Bpixels is not necessarily limited to that shown in FIG. 14.

[0124] Here, as in the first embodiment, the alignment layer is dividedinto regions a and regions b. Each of the divided regions must bedivided so as to include a plurality of pixels and be visible as aregion. For example, when the alignment layer is divided into theregions a or b shown in FIG. 2, each of the regions a and regions b hasa size that includes a plurality of pixels. Therefore, it should benoted that the region a includes a plurality of R, G and B pixels, asshown in FIG. 14. The same is true about the region b.

[0125] The following explanation will be made in the context of regiona. However, the same is true for region b.

[0126] For example, only the orientation direction of the pixel R in theregion a is different from that of the pixels G and B. This can be made,for example, by reversing the abrasion (e.g., rubbing) direction in thepixel R relative to that of the pixel G and pixel B shown in FIG. 15.

[0127] Such a implementation allows the region a to be seen in bluishgreen when viewed from, for example, the direction D shown in FIG. 15,and in red when viewed from the side opposite to D. That is, byselectively changing the orientation direction only of pixels of aspecified color in the region a, it becomes possible for the region a tobe seen as colored when viewed from the side.

[0128] As explained above, when the region a is colored and formed in adesired pattern (as in the fifth embodiment), it is possible to providea fixed colored image that is visible when viewed from the side.

[0129] Any desired tint can be displayed depending on the selection ofpixels R, G and B in the regions a. For example, when the region isdefined by pixel units, the fixed patterns can be expressed in eightcolors from a viewing direction. When a pixel is subdivided by theregions as shown in FIG. 19, the fixed patterns can be expressed in anyintensity level or color (as in a photo). In FIG. 19, pixels p and q inthe display are divided into two regions a and b. The ratio of the areasof regions a and b in the pixel p is different from that of pixel b. Thepixels thus have different ratios of the areas of the regions, which inturn have different orientation directions. This unevenness in thedisplay is made intentionally and is used to display fixed figures.

[0130] Thus, according to the sixth example, it is possible to color adesired fixed pattern.

[0131] The above embodiment was explained as an example of using themask abrasion (e.g., rubbing) method for forming the regions a and b.This method includes physically shielding regions other than the regionto be subjected to abrasion (e.g., rubbing). In addition to the abovemethod, a part of the alignment layer with light after abrasion (e.g.,rubbing) can be irradiated to form a plurality of regions with differentorientation directions. The irradiation changes the pre-tilt angle ofthe alignment layer to form an irradiated part with a different viewingangle dependence.

[0132] The method of changing pre-tilt angle by light irradiation willbe explained with reference to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17.

[0133] First, on a glass substrate 121, a polyimide film is formed, thewhole surface of which is then subjected to abrasion (e.g., rubbing) ina specified orientation direction (in the direction indicated by thearrow, for example) as shown in FIG. 16.

[0134] Along with this, a photomask 131 is prepared which has a patternas shown in FIG. 17.

[0135] With the photomask 131 set on the glass substrate 121 with thepolyimide film, irradiation with visible-ultraviolet rays is performedon the glass substrate 121 from a high pressure mercury lamp of about 10J/cm². The ultraviolet ray irradiation reduces pre-tilt angle of thealignment layer in the region irradiated by the ultraviolet rays.

[0136] On a glass substrate that is to face the glass substrate 121, apolyimide film is similarly formed and subjected to abrasion (e.g.,rubbing). On this glass substrate that is to face the glass substrate121, a photomask which has a reversed pattern to that of the photomask131 shown in FIG. 17 is set and a similar ultraviolet ray irradiation isperformed. The two glass substrates are then arranged so that theirradiated parts of one substrate oppose the unirradiated parts of theother substrate.

[0137] Following this, nematic liquid crystal material is injected toform a liquid crystal display device between the glass substrates.

[0138] When a dextrorotary structure is stable at regions where onlyabrasion (e.g., rubbing) has been performed, levorotary liquid crystalsare used. Conversely, when a levorotary structure is stable at regionswhere only abrasion (e.g., rubbing) has been performed, dextrorotaryliquid crystals are injected. This makes it possible to form two regionsthat exhibit a strong dependence on viewing angle different from oneanother.

[0139] For example, when forming regions with a plurality of orientationdirections, two or more orientation directions can be sufficient. Twoorientation directions make it difficult to recognize the display fromany direction other than from the intended direction.

[0140] An example embodiment is described in which a region seen asblack when viewed from the direction 1 shown in FIG. 8 and a region seenas black when viewed from the direction 5 are alternately arranged.However, the arrangement of regions is not necessarily alternating.Namely, it is possible to simultaneously arrange on the screen a regionseen as black when viewed from the direction 1, a region seen as blackwhen viewed from the direction 5, and a region in which a displayedimage can be seen when viewed from the direction 1 and the direction 5.

[0141] In addition, shapes and sizes of the regions with differentdirections of orientation can be selected as desired, considering thepurpose, design, etc. of the display. For example, a region can beformed in the shape of a polygon such as a parallelogram or a triangle,circle, or ellipse. The size of the region can be also changed dependingon the purpose. For example, when a minimum quadrilateral considered asincluding the region has a length between about 0.1 mm and about 1 cm,the display screen is favorably made unrecognizable from a directionother than from the front. Furthermore, it is preferable that the lengthof the quadrilateral be between about 0.5 mm and about 5 mm.

[0142] With respect to a sheet polarizer of the liquid crystal displaydevice, it is arranged so that it provides either a black display or awhite display when no voltage is applied.

[0143] When narrowing the viewing angle according to the presentinvention, it is preferable to drive the display with a voltage equal toor below the saturation voltage of the liquid crystal layer. Thus, it isbetter to set the liquid crystal display device to provide a blackdisplay when no voltage is applied. This allows the liquid crystaldisplay device to present a sufficiently black display yet provide agood image quality.

[0144] When a normally white liquid crystal display is used, it ispreferable that a bias voltage of about 0.5% to about 70% of thesaturation voltage of the liquid crystal is applied to obtain aneffective display. It is more preferable that a bias voltage of about 5%to about 50% of the saturation voltage of the liquid crystal is applied.It is more preferable that a bias voltage of about 5% to about 20% ofthe saturation voltage of the liquid crystal is applied.

[0145] Although the liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between thesubstrates in the above described examples, a liquid crystal displaywith a liquid crystal layer formed on a single substrate can beproduced. In this type of display, the liquid crystal layer issandwiched between the substrate and a protective film instead of asubstrate.

[0146] Furthermore, the liquid crystal display device according to thepresent invention can be made to have two liquid crystal layers. Here, aliquid crystal layer on the far side of the user is to be denoted as alower liquid crystal layer, and that on the near side is denoted as anupper liquid crystal layer. The lower liquid crystal layer is to displaya display image as usual. The upper liquid crystal layer is made to havea plurality of regions with different orientation directions withadjacent regions arranged so that the orientation directions aredifferent from one another. This makes the upper liquid crystal layerdisplay a specified figure when viewed from directions other than fromthe front.

[0147] With the upper liquid crystal layer in an intermediate displayingstate, an image displayed in the lower liquid crystal layer can be seenfrom the front. However, when the display is viewed from directionsother than from the front, the image displayed in the lower liquidcrystal layer is screened by the figure displayed in the upper liquidcrystal layer.

[0148] Moreover, when a voltage is applied to the upper liquid crystallayer to orient the liquid crystal molecules therein, the display ismade uniform to allow a displayed image in the lower liquid crystallayer to be visible even when viewed from directions other than from thefront. That is, this allows a switching operation that conceals orreveals the displayed image in the lower crystal layer from directionsother than from the front.

[0149] The liquid crystal display can be used in cellular phones,portable terminals, palm computers, laptop computers, and other devices.For example, as shown in FIG. 20 or FIG. 21, the above-described liquidcrystal displays can be used to form the display 1902 of the cellularphone 1901, or the display 2002 of the palmtop computer 2001.

[0150] As described above in detail, the liquid crystal display deviceaccording to the present invention makes a fixed pattern visible whichhas no relation with an image displayed on the screen when viewed fromdirections other than from the front. This can make it difficult torecognize displayed information and makes it possible to prevent thedisplayed information from being surreptitiously observed by otherpersons.

[0151] Furthermore, the fixed pattern can be used for displaying abackground figure or a trade name of a product. Moreover, a new locationfor advertisements on a liquid crystal display has been found.

[0152] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:
 1. A liquid crystal display comprising: a liquidcrystal layer; and alignment layers sandwiching said liquid crystallayer, comprising an alignment layer surface divided into a plurality ofregions, each of said plurality of regions including a plurality ofpixel units, with orientations of said alignment layers in adjacent saidregions being different.
 2. The liquid crystal display according toclaim 1, wherein one of said regions comprises a letter.
 3. The liquidcrystal display according to claim 1, wherein one of said regionscomprises a visible figure.
 4. The liquid crystal display according toclaim 1, wherein a long side of a minimum hypothetical rectangularcontaining one of said regions is equal to or larger than 0.1millimeter.
 5. The liquid crystal display according to claim 3, whereinsaid figure comprises square.
 6. The liquid crystal display according toclaim 1, wherein said liquid crystal layer is driven at a maximumvoltage less than a saturation voltage of said liquid crystal layer. 7.The liquid crystal display according to claim 6, wherein said maximumvoltage Vm and said saturation voltage Vs have a following relation:0.005Vs≦Vm≦0.7Vs.
 8. The liquid crystal display according to claim 1,wherein a region of said plurality of regions of said alignment layerscomprises a unique orientation.
 9. The liquid crystal display accordingto claim 1, wherein a region of said plurality of regions of saidalignment layers having a same color element comprises a uniqueorientation.
 10. A liquid crystal display comprising: a liquid crystallayer; and alignment layers sandwiching said liquid crystal layer, saidalignment layers comprising surfaces divided into a plurality of regionshaving different orientation directions, a first ratio of areas of tworegions of said plurality of regions in a first pixel being differentfrom a second ratio of areas of said two regions of said plurality ofregions in a second pixel.
 11. The liquid crystal display according toclaim 10, wherein a region of said two regions comprises a letter. 12.The liquid crystal display according to claim 10, wherein a region ofsaid two regions comprises a visible figure.
 13. A liquid crystaldisplay comprising: a liquid crystal layer; alignment layers sandwichingsaid liquid crystal layer; and a driving circuit configured to drivesaid liquid crystal layer, wherein an image formed in said liquidcrystal layer by said driving circuit is displayed at a front directionand a fixed image independent of said driving circuit is displayed at anoblique direction.
 14. The liquid crystal display according to claim 13,wherein said alignment layers comprise a plurality of regions havingdifferent orientations.
 15. The liquid crystal display according toclaim 13, wherein said fixed image comprises a letter.
 16. The liquidcrystal display according to claim 13, wherein said fixed imagecomprises a visible figure.
 17. The liquid crystal display according toclaim 13, wherein said fixed image comprises a color.
 18. A liquidcrystal display comprising: a liquid crystal layer; alignment layerssandwiching said liquid crystal layer; and a driving circuit configuredto drive said liquid crystal layer, wherein an image formed in saidliquid crystal layer by said driving circuit is displayed at a firstdirection normal to said liquid crystal layer and a fixed imageindependent of said driving circuit is displayed at a second direction.19. A liquid crystal display comprising: a first liquid crystal layerdisplaying an image determined by a driving circuit; a second liquidcrystal layer; and alignment layers sandwiching said second liquidcrystal layer, said alignment layer including regions displaying avisible figure, with orientations of adjacent of said regions beingdifferent.
 20. A liquid crystal display comprising: a liquid crystallayer; a pair of substrates sandwiching said liquid crystal layer; and adriving circuit configured to drive said liquid crystal layer, whereinan image formed in said liquid crystal layer by said driving circuit isdisplayed at a front direction and a fixed image independent of saiddriving circuit is displayed at an oblique direction.
 21. The liquidcrystal display according to claim 20, wherein said substrates compriseglass.
 22. The liquid crystal display according to claim 20, whereinsaid driving circuit is formed on said substrate.
 23. The liquid crystaldisplay according to claim 20, wherein said driving circuit is formedseparate from said substrate.
 24. A terminal device comprising: a liquidcrystal layer; a pair of substrates sandwiching said liquid crystallayer; and a driving circuit configured to drive said liquid crystallayer, wherein an image formed by said driving circuit is displayed at afront direction and a fixed image independent of said driving circuit isdisplayed at an oblique direction.
 25. A portable terminal devicecomprising: a liquid crystal layer; a pair of substrates sandwichingsaid liquid crystal layer; and a driving circuit configured to drivesaid liquid crystal layer, wherein an image formed by said drivingcircuit is displayed at a front direction and a fixed image independentof said driving circuit is displayed at an oblique direction.
 26. Amethod of forming a liquid crystal display device, comprising: orientinga first portion of a first substrate in a first direction; orienting asecond portion of said first substrate in a second direction; coatingsaid first portion and said second portion of said first substrate witha liquid crystal layer; sandwiching said a liquid crystal layer betweensaid first substrate and a second substrate; and driving said liquidcrystal layer with a driving circuit to form an image.
 27. The methodaccording to claim 26, further comprising: orienting a third portion ofsaid second substrate in a third direction; and orienting a fourthportion of said second substrate in a fourth direction.
 28. The methodaccording to claim 27, wherein said fourth direction is perpendicular tosaid second direction and said third direction is perpendicular to saidfirst direction after said sandwiching step.
 29. The method according toclaim 26, wherein said first portion of said first substrate comprisesan image.
 30. The method according to claim 26, wherein said firstportion of said first substrate comprises a logo.
 31. A liquid crystaldisplay comprising: a liquid crystal layer; and means for sandwichingsaid liquid crystal layer, comprising at least two portions eachcomprising a different means for aligning an orientation of said liquidcrystal layer sandwiched by said respective portion.